Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 84-289-1798, Kirby Manufacturing Company, Inc. , McClure, Pennsylvania

Technical Report · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5609362

Crandall, M S; Singal, M

In response to a request from an employer representative, an evaluation was made of the Kirby Manufacturing Company located in McClure, Pennsylvania concerning possible exposure to formaldehyde from the resin used to give a wrinkle-resistant property to textiles. Full-shift breathing-zone and general-air-monitoring samplings were performed. In 14 samples the personal exposure to formaldehyde ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 parts per million (ppm) with an average of 1.0 ppm. A questionnaire regarding symptoms was completed by 100 workers. Symptoms reported to be occurring more frequently of late included sneezing, nasal irritation, headache, eye irritation, throat irritation, and coughing. As these symptoms were connected with formaldehyde exposures, the authors conclude that overexposure to formaldehyde was occurring at the facility. The authors recommend that a specialist in industrial ventilation systems be consulted to prepare specifications for a dilution ventilation system for the facility. Using the new system, indoor air containing formaldehyde vapor would not be recirculated. Fabrics containing formaldehyde should be aired before further treatment or use.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5609362
• Report Number(s): PB-88-126149/XAB; HETA-84-289-1798
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRY
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
POLYMERS
RESINS
SAFETY
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
TOXICITY
VENTILATION